Apparatus for slitting and forming metal sheets



Dec. 6, 1932. H. K. BAKER APPARATUS FOR SLITTING AND FORMING METALSHEETS Original Filed Aug. 29. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR M65 /d MM,

Dec. 6, 1932. H. K. BAKER- 1,889,969

APPARATUS FOR SLITTING AND FOEMING METAL SHEETS Original Filed Aug. 29.1927 '5 Sheets-Sheet 2 MMM/Mmmm UUUUUUUUUUUUUUU INVENTOR MMA/.M

Maa/wf@ ATTORNEY5 Dec. 6, 1932. H. K. BAKER 1,889,969

APPARATUS FOR SLITTING AND FORMING METAL SHEETS original Filed Aug. 29.1927 5 sheets-sheet 5 du a M \\Wr// /ll/ 4l W/v//v 4 I V W 7n m/INVENTOR {QM/f, @agay ATTORNEYS H. K. BAKER APPARATUS FOR SLI'ITING ANDFORMING META-L SHEETS Original Filed Aug. 29. 1927 5 Sheets-5heet 4INVENTOR Y* ATTORNEYS 6, 1932. H. K. BAKER APPARATUS FOR SLIETTING ANDFORMING METAL SHEETS Original Filed Aug. 29. 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet 5INVENTOR. MAJ. ma

ATTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 6, 1932 UNITED STATES` PATENT OFFICE HERBERT K. BAKER, 0FDETROIT, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO PENN VIVIIETAL COMPANY, OF PARKERSBURG,WEST' VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS APPARATUS FOR SLITTINGAND FORMING METAL SHEETS Original application led August 29, 1927,Serial No. 216,031. Divided and this application led November 26, 1929.Serial No. 409,791.

This invention relates to apparatus for slitting and forming metalsheets for eX- panding purposes and is particularly useful in preparingLflat rib lath blanks.

Among the more important objects of the invention are the increasing ofthe rate of production; the simplification of the apparatus with respectto construction and maintenance; and the production of lath which ismore eilicient as a plastic holder.

How the foregoing objects and advantages, together with others whichwill occur to those skilled in the art, are obtained will be clear fromthe following description considered in connection with the accompanyingdrawings which illustrate the preferred embodiment of the apparatus, andin which- Fig. 1 is a view of a press taken from the front or feed sidethereof.

Fig. 2 is a sectional view of the press taken indicated by the line 2 2of Fig. 1.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the anvil or bottom member of the press, aportion of the stripper plate being broken away to show the slittingpunches therebelow. v

Fig. 4 is an enlarged partial sectional View of the rib forming dies ofthe press taken as indicated by the line 4 4 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 but taken through the slittingpunches as indicated by the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Figs. 6, 7 and 8 are views illustrating details of the formation andarrangement of the slitting punches.

Figs. 9 and 10 are face and cross-sectional views, respectively, of aportion of a blank as it is delivered from the slitting and formingmachine of the present invention.

Figs. 11 and 12 are face and cross-sectional views, respectively, of theslitted and formed flat rib lath blank of Figs. 9 and 10 after it hasbeen expanded.

Figure 13 is an enlarged fragmentary view taken similarly to Figure 2but illustrating certain wedging and clamp-ing devices for the slittingpunches in more detail, and

Figure 14 is a view, on the same scale as Figure 18, illustrating, inplan, one of the wedge elements appearing in Figure 13.

Referring now to the drawings, the reference numeral 13 indicates thestationary or anvil member of the press and 14 indicates the coactingand reciprocating press member. Vertical guides 15 are secured in theanvil 13 and extend upwardly into the guiding holes 16 of the member 14.The member 14 of the press may be reciprocated by `any suitableapparatus of well known construction (not shown).

A plurality of sets of slitting punches 17 and 18 are supported in thelower member of the press. These slitting punches 17 and 18 arecounterparts of each other and are arranged in overlapping V-formation.

As clearly seen in Figures 7 and 8, furthermore, each punch 17 isprovided with a parallel sided flatted portion adjacent the working endthereof, of reduced. thickness as compared to the remainder of thepunch, and this flatted portion'has parallel ycutting edges 17a at eachside thereof. The punches 18, of course, are also similarly arrangedalthough the construction thereof is inverted or counterpart withrespect to the elements designated by the numeral 17. Thus, the punches18 have parallel cutting edges 18a at each side of a reduced iattedportion towards the working ends thereof. Their cutting or slittingedges, therefore, are formed to produce pairs of parallel slitsconverging toward the apex of each V and, further, these edges are cutaway as indicated at 19 on Figs. 6, 7, and 8 in order to terminate theslits a short distance from the apex and legs of the V. These V-shapedpairs of punches are arranged in groups of four, longitudinally of thework, and the groups are arranged parallel to each other transversely ofthe work as clearly seen in Figure 1. Spacers 20 are provided betweenalternate group-s across the press and are suitably secured in positionas by bolts 21.

The groups of punches are held securely in place against the spacers 20by U-shaped wedge members 22 which are arranged between the groups inalternate relation to the spacers 20. These U-members 22 are positionedwith their legs extending horizontally, one above the other, between thealternate groups of punches and a. cooperating wedge element 23 extendsbetween the legs of the member 22 from its open end. (see Figures 13 and14, particularly, in the latter of which a wedge 22 is illustrated intop plan view). Each of the elements 23 is provided witha slot 24 whichengages the shoulder 25 formed on the member 26. lThe member 26 extendstransversely of the press along the front of the groups of punches andisA secured tothe anvil by suitable-bolts 27. A wedge 28extendstransversely of the press, on the other side of the punches. This wedgehas atapered edge whichcooperates with the tap-ered ends 29 of themembers 22v to advance the legs of these members between the alternategroups of punches when the wedge 28 is tightened by meansof the bolts30. YIt will be observed that the punches 17 kand 18 are reduced atl onevertical edge, as at 31 in Fig. 8.y These reduced or tapered Y edgeswhen placed adjacent provide'the apex of the Vof each set of punches,and the apex of the adj acent interfitting Vserves to space the legs ofthe first V, it being noted that since the main body of the punch, i.e., the portion thereof below the reduced or iiatted slitting Vedge poretion, is of greater thickness, the projection of the contactingoradjacent portions of one pair of punches 4between the separated portionsof an adjacent pair, providesfor spacing of the' cutting edges (17 aor18a) from each other. The edges of the punches which areinclined ineach ofV theitwo opposite directions, however, areextended parallel toeach other and thus provide for the interleaving of the cooperatingpunches so that at least a portion of each cutting edge at each side ofeach punch is effective in forming slits. The spacers 20 and the wedgingelements 22 and 23 are, of course, shaped lto conform to the outsideconfiguration of each group of punches. This will be apparent from inspection of Figures 13 and 14 which illustrate, in detail, some of thewedging elements as being provided with inclined or wedgel surfaces 22ato contact with the inclined snrfaces of the punches and also withabutments 226 arranged to engage the ends of the punches (as viewedinFignre7 yfor example) and thus serve to position` them lengthwise ofthefeed in the press members. Similar serrations or abutments andwedging surfaces are provided on thev spacer members. As will be clearfrom inspection of Figs. 2 and 3 the spacers 20 terminate a shortdistance from the tightening wedge 28, the wedge elements 23 are rigidlysecured in position and terminate short of the inside of the U-membersand the U-members contact with the wedge 28 and are free to be advancedbetween the groups of punches. Thus, all the punchesl are securely heldand spaced in pairs and groups by the tightening of one wedging element,the member 28.

.The reciprocating member 14 carries a set justed as to height bythecoactinff tion to the groups in the anvil member. That is, they are sopositioned as to be complementary to the lower groups'.- Thus, the

V-pairs of an upper group iit into the V shaped spaces formed bythespacing of the parallel punches Vin-'a lowergronp and the working edgesofthe upper and lower groups bend adj acent strands of the metaltoopposite sides of the sheet. lt'is to be understood, of course, thatthepress is advanced only far enough to completely slit the metal and` formthe strands and that the working edges of the upper and lower puncheswill hardlyy pass eachother to perform this operation.`

' The punches in the lower set are seated Ion a backing or wear plate 34and may be ad- Lg wedges 35,211.1(1 36- edges of' the pressY areprovided adjusting bolts 37 for advancing the wedges 35` and 36. Eachwedge is provided with two slot-like o enings which register and throughwhich t ye bolts- 38 extend and serve to secure the wedges as againstany movement. f

The Vupper-set offpunches is providedwith a wedge adjusting mechanismidentical in constructionl to that of the lower lThis upper wedgemechanism, however, is made of a width to conform to the narrower upperset of punches. Y. v

Stripper plates 39 and 40 arevcarried by theupper and lower pressmembers, respectively, `and have openings 41 and 42, respectively, whichare shaped to conform to the configuration of the groups of punches inthe respective sets. A series of springs 43 is provided along each-edgeof each stripper plate andserve to strip the work from the cutting edgesof the punches when the press opens. Bolts 44 secured inthe press andhaving a loose fit in the stripper plates retain the plates in positionwhen the press is open, with their outer faces a little beyond theworking edges of the punches.

Each press element is provided with a die positioning block 45 which issecured to its respective press element by suitable bolts 46. Theforming' dies are seated in grooves in the positioning blocks and aresecured in place at each end by overhanging clamps 47, the same beingsecured to the press by thebolts 48. The die mechanism comprises twosets of upper and lower mating dies 49, 49a, and 50, 50a which arepositioned alternately across the width of the press. Thepairs 49, 49alhave complementary workingk faces adapted to form the shallow bead orrib 51 in the zones or panels between the slittcd stripsof the sheet.(See Figs. 9-12.) The (See Figs. 1 and 2.) yAt the.

dies of the pairs 50, a cooperate with each other and with the outerworking edges of the pairs 49, 49a to move the narrow unslitted strip52, which is lett through the center ot the slitted area, slightly outof thel plane ot the flat ribs and to displace the ends of the strandsadjacent the ribs 5l still further out of the plane of the flat ribs.This forming operation turns both ends of the strands into a planesubstantially out of the general plane of the sheet, as at 53 and 54 inFigs. 9-12. Indeed, the metal 53 at the outside ends ot the strands ofthe pairs is turned into a Yilane substantially perpendicular to thegeneral plane of the sheet. The strands will, therefore, bend morereadily in expanding the blank and will not be subjected to the severetwisting strains encountered in other contigurations of blanks.

The expanded lath is adapted to be secured in place with the displacedportions 53 adjacent the wall. Thus, when plaster' is applied it will beforced between the strands behind the strips 52 and into the recessesbetween the ribs 5l and the portions 58. This not only provides a suregrip tor plaster, but also aids in increasing the lite of the lath, assubstantially the entire lath will be encased in the plaster with theresult that it will corrode and rust very slowly.

In operation the press is reciprocated pret"- erably at a relativelyhigh speed (say 409 reciprocations per minute) ant. the sheets to beslitted and formed are fed into the press rom the right of Fig. 2. Theteed is accomplished step by step in timed relation to the movementofthe press, and the steps carry the sheet forward a suliicient distanceto bring the metal engaged by the first V of each group of punches inthe lower set into engagement with the last V of the lower groups. Thus,the slits and strands are completed throughout the entire sheet as itmoves through the punches. As the sheet is advanced further the formingdies 49, 49a and 50, 50a work and swage the metal as before described toproduce the ribs and the turns of the strands. Finally, the sheet may bepassed out of the press and through suitable rolls and then expanded orit may be passed directly from the press to some suitable expander,such, for exanrple, as a diverging expander.

The following summary of the method carried out by the apparatus, withthe references to Figure-s 9 to l2 inclusive, will be of value for acomplete understanding of the invention:

Th-e blank is rst slitted substantially as indicated in Figure 9 inorder to produce the alternate rows of reversely inclined strandshereinbefore referred to, it being understood that at the time eachportion of the blank is slitted, the blank is in the form or" a iiatsheet or plate ot metal having no grooves, ribs or ccrrngations therein.The slitting operation is carried out by first producing rows of slitsin parallel zones or panels which extend longitudinally ot the blank andits direction of feed. The slitting is carried out in such manner as toleave similarly arranged but unslitted panels which are in alternaterelation to the slitted panels transversely of the blank. As will beapparent from inspection ot Figure 9, the unslitted panels arealternately relatively wide and relatively narrow so that, in effect,the slitted panels are arranged in pairs between the panels ot which therelatively narrow unslitted panels (indicated at 52) extend. Thus, eachpair of slitted panels with its rela-tively narrow unslitted panel orstrip, in effect, form an elongated slitted area (see X in Fig. 9). Therelatively wide unslitted panels (subsequently formed into the ribsindicated at 5l) extend longitudinally of the blank between the pairs ofslitted panels. After the lirst transversely extending area of the blankhas been slitted as specified just above, a similar set of slitted andunslitted panels is produced, the panels being arranged to continue fromthose already provided. This operation is carried out progressivelythroughout the entire length ot the blank.

However, it is to be observed that the blank Y is progressively ribbedor grooved in certain of its panel in a manner similar to the manner inwhich th-e slitted and unslitted panels are produced, it beingunderstood that the progressive ribbing or grooving is completed intransversely extending areas of the blank having dimensions similar tothe areas re- Jferred to above. This rib or groove Jforming operation,furthermore, is carried out shortly after each successive areal of theblank is slitted, and before the completion of the slitting operation,so that one area ot the blank is being subjected to the ribbingoperation simultaneously with the formation of slits in another area ofthe blank.

lVith respect to the coniiguration ot the grooving it is to be notedthat the shallow or flat ribs 5l are form-ed in the relatively wideunslitted panels extending between the pairs ot reversely inclinedslitted panels, or between the areas X. The grooving operation alsoincludes a turning of the metal at the outer ends of the pairs ofreversely inclined strands into a plane which is preterablysubstantially perpendicular to the general plane of the sheet (seereference numeral 53 Figs. 9 and 10). lt is also to be noted that theareas X of the blank are grooved in such manner as to cause a slightdisplacement of the relatively narrow unslitted panels 52 out of thegeneral plane of the sheet, the strands extending therefrom stillfarther out ot the general plane of the sheet to the point indicated at53.

The blanks having been prepared as above described may be subjected toany one of a number of expanding operations in order to v improvedapparatus for producing flat rib lath blanks which not only increasesspeed of production, but also produces a latli which,

due to the formation and bends of the strands, is economical withrespect to the plaster used and is more eective asa plaster holder.

This application is a. division of my copending application Serial No.216,031, filed August 29, 1927.

I claim y l. In apparatus of thechara'cter described, a press member, aseries of groups of slitting Y punches mounted therein .but spaced apartfrom each other, punch spacing and securing members between alternategroups, said spacing members being secured to said press niember andsaid securing members comprising wedge elementsv ,adapted to secure saidpunches by reaction therethrough against said spacing members, togetherwith a wedgeA at one end of. said wedge elements for advancing saidelements to securing position.

2. Apparatus for slitting metal sheets for expansion includingcooperatingpress members, groups of cooperating slitting punches mountedin the press members in position to interleave with each other uponrelative actuation of the press members, said interleaving puncheshaving substantially flat portions with cutting edges'at each sidethereof and the end portions of the cutting edges of at least someof-said punches being tapered-off away from the mean plane in which theslitting is effected.

3. Apparatus for slitting metal sheets for expansion includingcooperating press members, groups of cooperating slitting punchesmounted in the press members in position to interleave with each otherupon relative actuation of the press members, said interleaving puncheshaving substantially fiat portions with cutting edges at eachsidethereof and the cutting edges of at least one of said punches beingformed in parallel sections extended at an angle to each other. p

4. Apparatus for slitting metal sheets including cooperating pressmembers, and cooperating slitting punches mounted in the press members,said punches including substantially flat portions at least some ofwhich are provided with slitting edges at each side thereof, at leastsome of said punches having end portions of their slitting edgestaperedoff away from the mean plane in which the slitting is eifectedand said cooperating punches beingrelatively positioned in the pressmeinbersto interleave upon actuation thereof,-wliereby slitting iseffected at each one ofsaid tapered-off slitting edges. l

5. In apparatus of the character described, cooperatingpress members,1agroup of slitting punches mounted in one of the press members,'at leastsome of said punches having substantially flat portions with slittingedges at each side thereof, the punches of the group being spaced fromeach other with their slitting edges extended along parallel lines toprovide for interleaving of slitting punches mounted in a cooperatingpress member, and a group of slitting punches mounted in a cooperatingpress member, at least one of the punches of the last mentioned grouphaving a substantially ilat portion with slitting edges at each sidethereof formed in sections each of which includes a pair of parallelslitting edges extended at an angle to those of another section.

6. A slitting punch for use in apparatus of the character described,said punch having a parallel sided flatted portion with a slitting edgeat each side thereof divided into a plurality of sections extended at anangle to each other, the sections of the edges being arranged inparallel pairs.

7. Apparatus for slitting and ribbing metal sheets including cooperatin0 relatively movable press members adapted to the intermittent feed ofshe-ets therethrough, groups of cooperating slitting elements mounted inthe press members, groups of cooperating ribbing elements mounted in thepress members beyond the slitting elements with respect to the directionof feed through the apparatus and spaced from said slitting elements,and stripper mechanisms associated with the press members and havingcooperating sheet engaging surfaces dispos-ed in the space between theslitting and ribbing elements, said mechanisms being yieldingly mountedin positions to engage the sheets duringinovement of the press memberstoward each other before engagement of the cooperating slittingelements.

8. Apparatus for slitting metal sheets including cooperating relativelymovable press members adapted to the intermittent feed of sheetstherethrough, a plurality of spaced groups of slitting punches mountedineach press member, the punches of the groups being spaced from eachother and relatively disposed to interleave upon actuation of the pressmembers, and cooperating Vstripper mechanisms associated with the pressmembers and eachhaving relatively large cooperating sheet grippingsurfaces disposed beyond the cooperating groups of interleaving puncheswith respect to the direction of feed through the apparatus, saidmechanisms being resiliently mounted to provide for enegagement of thesheets by said surfaces during movement of the press niembers towardeach other and befo-re interleaving of the cooperating punches.

9. Apparatus for slitting metal sheets including cooperating relativelymovable press members adapted to the intermittent feed of sheetstherethrough, a plurality of spaced groups of slitting punches mountedin each press member, the punches of the groups being spaced from eachother and relatively disposed to interleave upon actuation of the pressmembers, and cooperating stripper mechanisms associated with the pressmembers and each having relatively large cooperating sheet grippingsurfaces disposed beyond the cooperating groups of interleaving punchesWith respect to the direction of feed through the apparatus, saidmechanisms being resiliently mounted to provide for engagement of thesheets by said surfaces during movement of the press members toward eachother and before interleaving of the cooperating punches, said surfacesbeing so positioned with respect to the groups of punches and being sodimensioned with respect to the groups of slits produced by the groupsof punches as to engage, at each operation of the press members,portions of the blanks including groups of slits produced by a precedingoperation. 0

10. Apparatus for slitting metal sheets including cooperating relativelymovable press members adapted to the intermittent feed of sheetstherethrough, a plurality ofspaced groups of slitting punches mounted ineach press member, the punches of the groups being spaced from eachother and `relatively disposed to interleave upon actuation of the pressmembers, and cooperating stripper mechanisms associated with the pressmembers and each having relatively large cooperating sheet grippingsurfaces disposed beyond the cooperating groups `of interleaving puncheswith respect to the direction of feed through the apparatus, saidmechanisms being resilieiitly mounted to provide for engagement of thesheets by said surfaces during movement `of the press members towardeach other and before interleaving of the cooperating punches, saidsurfaces being so positioned with respect to the groups of punches andbeing so dimensioned with respect to the groups of slits produced by thegroups or punches as to engage, at each operation of the press members,portions of the blanks including the groups of slits produced by theimmediately preceding operation 11. Apparatus for slitting meal sheetsincluding cooperating relatively movable press members adapted to theintermittent feed of sheets therethrough, groups of cooperating slittingpunches mounted in thel press members, and a plate-like stripper memberassociated With each of the press members, each of said stripper membershaving an opening therein substantially conforming to the outsideconfiguration of the group of punches mounted in the associated pressmember, and resilient mounting means for urging said stripper memberstoward each other to grip the sheets during movement of the pressmembers tovvard each other before the engagement of the cooperatingslitting punches.

12. Apparatus for slitting metal sheets for expansion into stranded lathincluding cooperating relatively movable press members adapted to theintermittent feed of sheets therethrough, a plurality of groups ofcooperating slitting punches mounted in each one of the press members,each punch having a iiatted portion With a slitting edge at each sidethereof inclined With respect toY the `direction of feed through theapparatus, there being a plurality of groups of punches inclined in eachof two opposite directions and the punches of each of said groups beingmounted with their slitting edges arranged parallel to but spaced fromeach other, the punches ofthe groups being relatively positioned andarranged in the press members to interleave upon actuation thereof toproduce a substantially equal number of slits inclined in eachdirection.

13. Apparatus for slitting metal sheets for expansion into stranded lathincluding cooperating relatively movable press members adapted to theintermittent feed of sheets therethrough, said press members havingcavities or recesses therein adapted to receive groups of slittingpunches, groups of' cooperating punches in said cavities, the punches ofeach group having flatted portions With cutting edges at each sidethereof spaced from the cutting edges of adjacent punches to provide forinterleaving of the cooperating punches, means for spacing punches vofeach group from each other in parallel relationship, and'tvedge devicesin said cavities reacting against cavity Walls to secure the groups ofpunches in operative positions as units.

14. Apparatus for slitting metal lath including in combination With apress member, a group of slitting punch elements each having a pair ofparallel cutting edges formed at opposite sides thereof, the punches ofsaid group being arranged in pairs,fwith the cutting edges of one spacedfrom and angled With respect to the cutting edges of the other, thepunches of each pair further having interengaging portions at a pointtoward one end of the cutting edgesthereof, and the pairs of punchesbeing arranged in serially overlapping formation With the interengagingend of the cutting edges thereof, and the pairs of punches beingarranged in serially overlapping formation With the interengagingportions of one pair projected between separated portions of anYadjacent pair, to-

gether with means for mounting the punches of saidgroup including aserrated member arranged at one side of the group to contact with onepunch of each pair, and an additional and similar serratedmemberarranged at the opposite side ofthe group, with means forrelatively moving said-serrated members to secure the punches inoperative position by a Wedging action.

16. .A punch of the character described comprising a generally flattenedmember having a bevelled edge at one side thereof, a portion havingparallel sides but of reduced thickness along an edge extended at rightangles to the bevelled edge, and parallel cutting edges formed atvopposite sides of the portion last mentioned. o

17. Apparatus for slitting metal sheets including cooperating pressmembers adapted to the intermittent feed ofu sheets therethrough; agroup of punches mounted in one of said members, each of said punchescomprising a generally flattened member having a bevelled edge at oneside thereof, a portion having parallel sides but of reduced thicknessalong an edge extended at right angles to the bevelled edge, andparallel cutting edges formed at opposite sides of the' portion lastmentioned, the punches of said group being arranged in pairs With theirbevelled edges juxtaposed and with the oppositeedges spaced from eachother, and the pairs lof punches being arranged in serially overlappingformation With-the juxtaposed portions of one pair projecting into thespace between the punches o f an adjacent pair; and cooperating punchelements. mounted in the other press member.

18. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of cooperating pressmembers adapted to the intermittent feed of sheets therethrough; a groupof punches mounted in one of said press members, the punches of saidgroup comprising generally plate-like punch elements each having aflatted portion toward the Working side of the press member with a pairof parallel cutting edges at each side thereof, and each elementfurtherhaving a portionthereof projected laterally of its flattcd.portiontoward one end of its cutting edges, and said elements beingarranged in pairs with said projecting portions facingrbut spaced fromeach other and With portions thereof toward the opposite ends of thecutting edges juxtaposed, and the several pairs of the group beingarranged in overlapping formation With the juxtaposed portions of onepair extended between the spaced portions of an adjacent pair; andcooperating punch elements mounted in. the other press member inposition to interleave with the overlapping portions of the elementsfirst mentioned.

- .719. In apparatus j of the character described, a pair of cooperatingpress members adapted to the intermittent feed of sheets therethrough;Va group of slitting vpunches mounted in one press member and comprisingone'set of punch elementsat least partially overlapping transversely ofthe feed through the apparatus with flatted portions having cuttingedges at each side thereof inclined in one directionwith lrespectto thefeed path of the sheets, and another set of similarly overlapping punchelements reversely inclined with respect to said path, the punches ofthe tWo sets being arranged in pairs with their converging portionscontacting with each other andWith their diverging portions spaced fromeach other; and cooperating punch elements mounted in the other pressmember.

20. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of cooperating pressmembers adapted to the intermittent feed of sheets therethrough; a groupof slitting punches mounted in one press member and comprising one setof punch elements at leastpartially overlapping transversely of the feedthrough the apparatus With fiatted portions having cutting edges at eachside thereof, inclined in one direction with respect to the feed path ofthe sheets, the overlapping portions of said elements being providedWith means forspacing the flatted portion of one element from that of anadjacent element, and another set of similarly overlapping punchelements reversely inclined With respect to said path, the punches ofthe tivo sets being arranged in pairs with their converging portionscontacting With each other and with their diverging portions spaced fromeach other; and cooperating punch elements mounted in the other pressvmember in position to interleave With the spaced overlapping portionsof the punch elements first mentioned. y

v21'. In apparatus of the character described, a pair of'cooperatingpress Vmembers adaptedto the intermittent feed of sheets therethrough; agroup of slitting. punches mounted in one pressl member and comprisingoneset of punch elem'entsat least partially overlapping transversely ofthe feed through the apparatus with 'flatted portions having cuttingedges at each side thereof inclined in one direction with respect to thefeed path of the sheets, at least the overlapping portions of saidslitting edges being tapered-off away from the mean plane in which theslitting is effected, and another set of similarly overlapping punchelements reversely inclined with respect to said path, the punches ofthe two sets being arranged in pairs with their converging portionscontacting with each other and with their diverging portions spaced fromeach other; and cooperating punch elements mounted in the other pressmember.

22. In apparatus of the character described, a. pair of cooperatingpress members adapted for intermittent feed of the sheets therebetween,groups of slitting punches in each of the press members arranged tointerleave upon actuation thereof, the plurality of groups of punches ineach press member being separated from each other transversely of thefeed of sheets through the apparatus to provide unslitted strips ofmetal therein, and the groups of punches each including a plurality ofpunches having cutting edges inclined with respect to the dir ction offeed through the apparatus, and a stripper mechanism including anelement extended lengthwise of the feed of the apparatus between saidtransversely spaced groups of punches.

23. Apparatus of the character describec including in combination with apair of cooperating press members adapted to the intermittent feed ofsheets therethrough, a group of slitting punches in one of the pressmembers comprising punch elements having slitting edges at each vsidethereof, means for spacing the punches of the group from each other withthe cutting edges thereof extending along parallel lines, said parallelpunches having their slitting edges inclined with respect to thedirection of feed through the apparatus with at least a portion of aslitting edge of one punch spaced from the slitting edge of an adjacentpunch transversely of the direction of feed to provide for theproduction of a plurality of slits in at least one row extendinglengthwise of the feed through the apparatus at each press operation,and cooperating slitting punch elements mounted in the other pressmember arranged in a similar inclined fashion to interleave with thepunches of the first group.

24. Apparatus of the. character described including in combination witha pair of cooperating press member adapted to the intermittent feed ofsheets therethrough, a group of slitting punches in one of the pressmembers comprising punch elements having slitting edges at each sidethereof, means for spacing the punches of the group from each other withthe cutting edges thereof extending along parallel lines, said parallelpunches having their slitting edges inclined with respect to thedirection of feed through the apparatus with at least a portion of aslitting edge of one punch spaced from the slitting edge of an adjacentpunch transversely of the direction of feed to provide for theproduction of a plurality of slits in `at least one row extendinglengthwise of the feed through the apparatus at each pre-ss operation,and cooperating slitting punch elements mounted in the other pressmember arranged in a similar inclined fashion to interleave with thepunches of the first group, together with a cavity formed in one of thepress members and adapted to receive a. group of spaced punches, andwedge means in saidy cavity for securing said group of punches inoperative position as a unit.

25. Apparatus of the character described including in combination with apair of cooperating press members adapted'to the intermittent feed ofsheets therethrough, a cavity in one of the press members, a group ofslitting punches comprising punch elements having slitting edges at eachside thereof, means for spacing the punches of the group from each otherwith the cutting edges thereof exten-ding along parallel lines, saidparallel punches having their slitting edges inclined with respect tothe direction of feed through the apparatus with at least a portion of aslitting edge of one punch spaced from the slitting edge of an adjacentpunch transversely of the direction of feed to provide for theproduction of a plurality of slits in at least one row extendinglengthwise of the feed through the apparatus at each press operation,ther-e being a plurality of such groups of slitting punches mounted insaid cavity in spaced relation, a wedge device for securing the `punchesof at least two groups7 as units, in said cavity, and cooperatinglslitting punch elements mounted in the other press member arranged in asimilar inclined fashion to interleave with the punches of the firstgroup.

26. In combination, a pair of cooperating press members, in one pressmember a set of groups of parallel sided parallel punch elementsinclined in one direction with respect to the direction of feed and aset of groups of parallel sided parallel punch elements inclined in anopposite direction with respect to the direction of feed, the groups ofeach set being positioned in a row transversely of the direction offeed, there being punch elements of each inclination spaced, in thedirection 0f feed, substantially more than half the length of thecutting edge of such element but with cutting edges of adjacent punchesoverlapping each other in spaced relation generally transversely of thedirection of feed, and cooperating sets of groups of punch elementspositioned in the other press member to register with thespa-c'esbetweenthe cutting edges last mentioned, and thus to interleave with thepunches first mentioned Y upon actuation of the press.

27. Apparatus or the character described including in combination with apair of cooperating press members adapted to the intermittent feed ofsheets therethrough, a plurality of closely-'associated slitting punchesarranged for mounting in one of the press members as a unitary group',said punches including separate punch elements each having a pair ofcuttingedges spacedfrom the cutting edges of adjacent punches in thegroup and each further having a plate-like mounting or securing portionextended well away from the slitting edges thereof, there being aplurality of such groups of slitting punches mounted in thepress member'andpspaced from each other in a substantially parallel relationshiptransversely ofthe feed through the apparatus, means for securingthepunch elements of one groupV in operative position, as a unit,including a device disposed in a space between adjacent groups andadapted to grip the mounting portions thereof, and cooperating slittingpunches mounted in the other press member in position to register withspaces between the slitting edges of the punches first mentioned andthus to interleave upon actuation of the press members.

28. Apparatus of the character described including in combination with apair of cooperating press members adapted to theV intermittent feed ofsheets therethrough, a group of closely associated slitting punchesincluding separate plate-like punch parts each having a flatted portionwith a slitting edge at each side thereof and each further having asecuring or mounting portion extended well away from the cutting edgeportion, means cooperating with said mounting portions for mounting thepunches of said group in close association with each otherin one of saidpress members but with each cutting edge thereof parallel to the cuttingedge of an adjacent punch and further with adjacent cutting edges ofadjacent punches spaced from each other transversely of the feed throughthe apparatus, and cooperating slitting punch parts mounted in the otherpress member in position to register with the spaces between saidadjacent edges of adjacent punches and thus to interleave upon actuationof the press members. f v n l In testimony whereof I have hereuntosigned my name. A

HERBERT K. BAKER.

estV

